Renato Anthony Favero, 102, of Springfield, passed away at 12:28 am, Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at his home surrounded by his wife and children. He was born August 27, 1923, in Springfield, the son of Fortunato and Pasqua (DalBello) Favero. He married Rita Groesch on June 29, 1947.
He is survived by his wife of 78 years, Rita; nine children, Donna Pforr, Kevin (Gwen) Favero, Paul (Phyllis) Favero, Janice (Daniel) Viele, Colette (James) Ellenberg, Daniel (Melinda) Favero, Carol (Thomas) Burke, Jeremiah (Lynn) Favero and Mary (Mike) Burke; 24 grandchildren; 36 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Raymondo (Mary) Reserio (Josephine), Robert (Wanda & Martha), Remus (Marie), and Rudolpho (Eileen); sisters, Eda (Max) Meneghetti, Erma (Izzy) Cohn, Etalia (Joe) Plesh, Irene (Andrew) Bourgasser and Hilda (Dolcedo) Micheletti and his son-in-law, Thomas Pforr.
Renato was in the first class at Lanphier to complete all four years of high school in 1941. He participated in the Lanphier alumni scrimmage game twice, the last time was when he was 100 years old. He made a two-point conversion play – spiking the ball.
He has been a member of the Sheet Metal Worker’s Local 218 for more than 85 years.
He and Rita spent their early retirement traveling to see their children in St. Louis, MO, Albuquerque, N.M., Green River, WY, Minneapolis, MN, Chicago, IL, Fisher, IL and Savoy, IL. He also traveled to Turkey, Italy and Mexico to see family.
He enjoyed time with family, gardening, woodworking, and making things out of copper and other metals.
Some of his favorite sayings were – Love God, Wife, Family, and Friends. Always tell the truth, show up for work and give a fair day’s work for your pay. He was patient with his children – if you didn’t get it right the first time, don’t quit, just try again until you get it.
He has been a member of St. Francis Cabrini Church since it was established in 1947.
He served in the Army from 1943 to March 17, 1946. He was near major battles in Germany, France, Belgium, Holland, Denmark and Austria. He was in the 258th Combat Engineers, which was a bastard battalion that fixed bridges, river crossings, and created roadblocks. He used a dozer and helped clear minefields. He was with the 32nd Army and near the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium and did work so that the Army could keep moving forward. He helped the British 2nd Army on the far shore of the Rhine – they were under fire for 2 hours starting at 2am and heard blasts every fifteen minutes. He was near two foxholes that were hit. On his way back to Chicago from the war while in New Jersey an Air Force jacket that he had obtained, his photographs, a cuckoo clock he has carried across the ocean for his mom and his duffle bag were stolen. In 2010 he was part of the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight to Washington D.C.
Visitation: 9:30 am - 11:15 am, Tuesday, February 10, 2026, in the Parish Hall of St. Cabrini Church.
Funeral Mass: 11:30 am, Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at St. Cabrini Church with Reverend George Nellikunnell officiating. Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery where military honors will be conducted.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Francis Cabrini Church or a charity of the donor’s choice.
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